Compare software

nwg-menu vs jgmenu: catalog facts
nwg-menu	jgmenu
Best for: Sway and wlroots users who want a start-menu style app menu	Best for: Openbox, i3 and other window manager users who want a traditional application menu
Free Free and open source.	Free Free to use.
Linux	Linux
Start-menu layout with simplified categories Works as an nwg-panel plugin or standalone All 3 strengths for nwg-menu Start-menu layout with simplified categories Works as an nwg-panel plugin or standalone Styled through a CSS file	Works with many window managers rather than one desktop Customizable look and menu content All 3 strengths for jgmenu Works with many window managers rather than one desktop Customizable look and menu content Lightweight enough for minimal setups
Standalone use needs command-line arguments Aimed at sway and wlroots compositors	X11 only, not built for Wayland sessions Configuration is manual rather than through a full settings app
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Not open source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for nwg-menu github.com/nwg-piotr/nwg-menu Catalog checked October 1, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for jgmenu github.com/johanmalm/jgmenu Catalog checked October 2, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.